Understanding how to offer appropriate greetings during Korean traditional holidays, known as 명절 (Myeongjeol), is essential for showing respect and participating in cultural celebrations. This guide provides key phrases and cultural insights for expressing well wishes during major Korean holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). Learn the standard greetings and specific expressions to share warmth and respect during these important family gatherings.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most versatile greeting for any major traditional holiday.
- Expression: 명절 잘 보내세요 (Myeongjeol jal bonaeseyo)
Pronunciation: myuhng-juhl jal boh-nae-seh-yo
Meaning: Have a good holiday. (General greeting for any traditional holiday)
Basic Holiday Greetings
These greetings are commonly used during holiday periods.
- Expression: 즐거운 명절 보내세요 (Jeulgeoun myeongjeol bonaeseyo)
Pronunciation: jeul-guh-oon myuhng-juhl boh-nae-seh-yo
Meaning: Have an enjoyable holiday. - Expression: 행복한 명절 되세요 (Haengbokan myeongjeol doeseyo)
Pronunciation: haeng-bok-han myuhng-juhl dweh-seh-yo
Meaning: Have a happy holiday. - Expression: 가족들과 좋은 시간 보내세요 (Gajokdeulgwa joeun sigan bonaeseyo)
Pronunciation: gah-jok-deul-gwah joh-eun shi-gan boh-nae-seh-yo
Meaning: Spend quality time with your family. - Expression: 풍성한 명절 보내세요 (Pungseonghan myeongjeol bonaeseyo)
Pronunciation: poong-sung-han myuhng-juhl boh-nae-seh-yo
Meaning: Have a bountiful holiday. (Often used for Chuseok) - Expression: 연휴 잘 쉬세요 (Yeonhyu jal swiseyo)
Pronunciation: yuhn-hyoo jal shwi-seh-yo
Meaning: Rest well during the long weekend/holiday period. - Expression: 고향에 잘 다녀오세요 (Gohyange jal danyeooseyo)
Pronunciation: go-hyang-eh jal dahn-yuh-oh-seh-yo
Meaning: Have a safe trip to your hometown. (Used when someone is traveling for the holiday) - Expression: 오랜만에 뵙겠습니다 (Oraenmane boepgetseumnida)
Pronunciation: oh-raen-mahn-eh bweb-get-seum-ni-da
Meaning: It’s been a while, I look forward to seeing you. (Formal, used when meeting relatives) - Expression: 건강하세요 (Geonganghaseyo)
Pronunciation: guhn-gang-hah-seh-yo
Meaning: Stay healthy. / Be well. - Expression: 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (Saehae bok mani badeuseyo)
Pronunciation: sae-hae bok mah-ni bah-deu-seh-yo
Meaning: Happy New Year! (Literally: Receive many new year blessings) – Specifically for Seollal - Expression: 추석 잘 보내세요 (Chuseok jal bonaeseyo)
Pronunciation: choo-suk jal boh-nae-seh-yo
Meaning: Have a good Chuseok. – Specifically for Chuseok - Expression: 즐거운 한가위 되세요 (Jeulgeoun hangawi doeseyo)
Pronunciation: jeul-guh-oon han-gah-wi dweh-seh-yo
Meaning: Have an enjoyable Hangawi (Another name for Chuseok). - Expression: 복 많이 받으세요 (Bok mani badeuseyo)
Pronunciation: bok mah-ni bah-deu-seh-yo
Meaning: Receive many blessings. (A common well-wish)
Specific Holiday Greetings: Seollal & Chuseok
These phrases are tailored for Korea’s two biggest traditional holidays.
- Expression: 새해에는 좋은 일만 가득하시길 바랍니다 (Saehaeeneun joeun ilman gadeukasigil baramnida)
Pronunciation: sae-hae-eh-neun joh-eun il-mahn gah-deuk-ha-shi-gil bah-ram-ni-da
Meaning: I hope the new year is filled only with good things for you. (Seollal) - Expression: 새해에도 건강하시고 행복하세요 (Saehaeedo geonganghasigo haengbokhaseyo)
Pronunciation: sae-hae-eh-do guhn-gang-ha-shi-go haeng-bok-ha-seh-yo
Meaning: Be healthy and happy in the new year too. (Seollal) - Expression: 떡국 맛있게 드세요 (Tteokguk masitge deuseyo)
Pronunciation: ttuk-gook mah-shit-geh deu-seh-yo
Meaning: Enjoy the tteokguk (rice cake soup). (Seollal) - Expression: 세배 잘 받으세요 (Sebae jal badeuseyo)
Pronunciation: seh-beh jal bah-deu-seh-yo
Meaning: Receive the New Year’s bow well. (Said to elders during Seollal) - Expression: 세뱃돈 많이 받으세요 (Sebetdon mani badeuseyo)
Pronunciation: seh-bet-don mah-ni bah-deu-seh-yo
Meaning: Receive lots of New Year’s money. (Said to children during Seollal) - Expression: 풍성한 한가위 보내세요 (Pungseonghan hangawi bonaeseyo)
Pronunciation: poong-sung-han han-gah-wi boh-nae-seh-yo
Meaning: Have a bountiful Hangawi (Chuseok). - Expression: 보름달처럼 마음도 풍성하시길 바랍니다 (Boreumdaltcheoreom maeumdo pungseonghasigil baramnida)
Pronunciation: boh-reum-dal-chuh-rum ma-eum-do poong-sung-ha-shi-gil bah-ram-ni-da
Meaning: I hope your heart is as full as the full moon. (Chuseok) - Expression: 송편 맛있게 드세요 (Songpyeon masitge deuseyo)
Pronunciation: song-pyuhn mah-shit-geh deu-seh-yo
Meaning: Enjoy the songpyeon (half-moon shaped rice cakes). (Chuseok) - Expression: 소원 성취하세요 (Sowon seongchwihaseyo)
Pronunciation: soh-won sung-chwi-ha-seh-yo
Meaning: May your wishes come true. (General well-wish, often used during holidays) - Expression: 올 한 해도 수고 많으셨습니다 (Ol han haedo sugo maneusyeotseumnida)
Pronunciation: ol hahn hae-do soo-go mah-neu-shyut-seum-ni-da
Meaning: You worked hard this past year. (Often said around Seollal, reflecting on the past year) - Expression: 내년에도 잘 부탁드립니다 (Naenyeonedo jal butakdeurimnida)
Pronunciation: nae-nyuhn-eh-do jal boo-tak-deu-rim-ni-da
Meaning: Please take care of me next year as well / I look forward to working with you next year. (Used in professional contexts around New Year)
Well Wishes and Blessings
These expressions convey deeper wishes for well-being.
- Expression: 만수무강하세요 (Mansumuganghaseyo)
Pronunciation: mahn-soo-moo-gang-ha-seh-yo
Meaning: May you live a long and healthy life. (Very formal, usually said to elders) - Expression: 하시는 일 모두 잘 되시길 바랍니다 (Hasineun il modu jal doesigil baramnida)
Pronunciation: ha-shi-neun il moh-doo jal dweh-shi-gil bah-ram-ni-da
Meaning: I hope everything you do goes well. - Expression: 웃음꽃 활짝 피는 명절 보내세요 (Useumkkot hwaljjak pineun myeongjeol bonaeseyo)
Pronunciation: oo-seum-kkot hwal-jjak pi-neun myuhng-juhl boh-nae-seh-yo
Meaning: Have a holiday where your ‘laughter flowers’ fully bloom (i.e., full of laughter and joy). - Expression: 걱정 근심은 잠시 잊고 즐거운 시간 보내세요 (Geokjeong geunsimeun jamsi itgo jeulgeoun sigan bonaeseyo)
Pronunciation: guk-jung geun-shim-eun jam-shi it-go jeul-guh-oon shi-gan boh-nae-seh-yo
Meaning: Forget your worries for a while and have an enjoyable time. - Expression: 가정에 늘 행복과 건강이 함께하길 기원합니다 (Gajeonge neul haengbokgwa geongangi hamkkehagil giwonhamnida)
Pronunciation: gah-jung-eh neul haeng-bok-gwah guhn-gang-i ham-kkeh-ha-gil gi-won-ham-ni-da
Meaning: I wish for constant happiness and health in your home. - Expression: 사랑하는 사람들과 따뜻한 명절 보내세요 (Saranghaneun saramdeulgwa ttatteuthan myeongjeol bonaeseyo)
Pronunciation: sa-rang-ha-neun sa-ram-deul-gwah ttah-tteut-han myuhng-juhl boh-nae-seh-yo
Meaning: Have a warm holiday with your loved ones. - Expression: 귀성길 안전운전 하세요 (Gwiseonggil anjeonunjeon haseyo)
Pronunciation: gwi-sung-gil ahn-juhn-oon-juhn ha-seh-yo
Meaning: Drive safely on your way to your hometown. - Expression: 넉넉하고 여유로운 한가위 되세요 (Neongneokago yeoyureoun hangawi doeseyo)
Pronunciation: nuhng-nok-ha-go yuh-yoo-roh-oon han-gah-wi dweh-seh-yo
Meaning: Have a plentiful and relaxing Hangawi (Chuseok). - Expression: 밝고 희망찬 새해 맞이하세요 (Balgo huimangchan saehae majihaseyo)
Pronunciation: bal-go hwi-mang-chan sae-hae ma-ji-ha-seh-yo
Meaning: Welcome a bright and hopeful new year. (Seollal) - Expression: 모든 소망이 이루어지는 한 해 되세요 (Modeun somangi irueojineun han hae doeseyo)
Pronunciation: moh-deun soh-mang-i ee-roo-uh-ji-neun han hae dweh-seh-yo
Meaning: May it be a year where all your wishes come true. (Seollal)
Responding to Greetings
Knowing how to reply is just as important.
- Expression: 네, 감사합니다. 명절 잘 보내세요. (Ne, gamsahamnida. Myeongjeol jal bonaeseyo.)
Pronunciation: neh, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. myuhng-juhl jal boh-nae-seh-yo.
Meaning: Yes, thank you. You have a good holiday too. - Expression: 덕분에요. (Deokbune-yo.)
Pronunciation: duk-boo-neh-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to you. (A polite way to acknowledge a well-wish) - Expression: 그쪽도요. (Geujjokdo-yo.)
Pronunciation: geu-jjok-do-yo.
Meaning: You too. (Casual) - Expression: OOO 씨도 새해 복 많이 받으세요. (OOO ssi-do saehae bok mani badeuseyo.)
Pronunciation: OOO shi-do sae-hae bok mah-ni bah-deu-seh-yo.
Meaning: Mr./Ms. OOO, Happy New Year to you too. (Replace OOO with the person’s name) - Expression: 네, OOO 님도 추석 잘 보내세요. (Ne, OOO nim-do Chuseok jal bonaeseyo.)
Pronunciation: neh, OOO nim-do choo-suk jal boh-nae-seh-yo.
Meaning: Yes, Mr./Ms./(Title) OOO, have a good Chuseok too. (Using ‘님’ is more formal) - Expression: 고맙습니다. 덕담 감사합니다. (Gomapseumnida. Deokdam gamsahamnida.)
Pronunciation: go-map-seum-ni-da. duk-dam gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. Thank you for the words of blessing. - Expression: 덕분에 잘 보낼 것 같아요. (Deokbune jal bonael geot gatayo.)
Pronunciation: duk-boo-neh jal boh-nael gut ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to you, I think I’ll have a good holiday. - Expression: 네, 즐거운 연휴 되세요. (Ne, jeulgeoun yeonhyu doeseyo.)
Pronunciation: neh, jeul-guh-oon yuhn-hyoo dweh-seh-yo.
Meaning: Yes, have an enjoyable long weekend/holiday. - Expression: 과장님도 명절 잘 보내십시오. (Gwajangnim-do myeongjeol jal bonaesipsio.)
Pronunciation: gwah-jang-nim-do myuhng-juhl jal boh-nae-ship-shi-oh.
Meaning: Manager, you have a good holiday too. (Formal, using title and -십시오 ending) - Expression: 네, 조심히 다녀오세요. (Ne, josimhi danyeooseyo.)
Pronunciation: neh, joh-shim-hi dahn-yuh-oh-seh-yo.
Meaning: Yes, have a safe trip. (Response to someone saying they are traveling)
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the cultural context enhances communication during 명절.
- Family Focus: 명절 are primarily family-oriented holidays. Greetings often emphasize family well-being and spending time together. Traveling to one’s hometown (귀성 – gwiseong) is a major part of the holiday tradition.
- Respect for Elders: Greetings towards elders are particularly important and require more formal language (using honorifics like -시- and formal endings like -십시오 or -세요). During Seollal, younger generations perform a deep bow called 세배 (Sebae) to elders and receive words of blessing (덕담 – deokdam) and often money (세뱃돈 – sebaetdon).
- Gift Giving: Exchanging gifts is common, especially before the holiday begins. Gifts often include food items (fruit baskets, Spam/tuna sets, cooking oil), health products, or department store vouchers. Offering a gift while giving greetings is a warm gesture.
- Timing: Holiday greetings are typically exchanged in the days leading up to the holiday, on the holiday itself, and sometimes shortly after when meeting people you couldn’t see during the actual holiday period. Text messages and phone calls are common ways to greet those far away.
- Food Significance: Food plays a central role. Mentioning specific holiday foods like 떡국 (Tteokguk for Seollal) or 송편 (Songpyeon for Chuseok) in your greetings shows cultural awareness (e.g., “떡국 맛있게 드세요”).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues meet briefly before the Chuseok holiday break.
Roles:
* A: 김 대리 (Assistant Manager Kim)
* B: 박 사원 (Employee Park)
- Expression: A: 박 사원, 내일부터 추석 연휴네요. 고향에 내려가요?
Pronunciation: bak sa-won, nae-il-boo-tuh choo-suk yuhn-hyoo-neh-yo. go-hyang-eh nae-ryuh-ga-yo?
Meaning: Mr. Park, the Chuseok holiday starts tomorrow. Are you going down to your hometown? - Expression: B: 네, 대리님. 오늘 저녁 기차예요. 대리님은요?
Pronunciation: neh, dae-ri-nim. oh-neul juh-nyuk gi-cha-yeh-yo. dae-ri-nim-eun-yo?
Meaning: Yes, Assistant Manager Kim. I have a train this evening. How about you? - Expression: A: 저는 서울에 있을 거예요. 부모님이 올라오시기로 했어요.
Pronunciation: juh-neun suh-ool-eh ee-sseul guh-yeh-yo. boo-mo-nim-i ol-la-oh-shi-gi-ro het-suh-yo.
Meaning: I’ll be staying in Seoul. My parents decided to come up here. - Expression: B: 아, 그러시군요. 그럼 가족분들과 풍성한 한가위 보내세요!
Pronunciation: ah, geu-ruh-shi-goon-yo. geu-rum ga-jok-boon-deul-gwah poong-sung-han han-gah-wi boh-nae-seh-yo!
Meaning: Oh, I see. Well then, have a bountiful Hangawi with your family! - Expression: A: 고마워요. 박 사원도 조심히 잘 다녀오고, 추석 잘 보내세요. 송편도 많이 먹고요!
Pronunciation: go-ma-wo-yo. bak sa-won-do jo-shim-hi jal dahn-yuh-oh-go, choo-suk jal boh-nae-seh-yo. song-pyuhn-do mah-ni muk-go-yo!
Meaning: Thanks. Mr. Park, you too, travel safely, have a good Chuseok. And eat lots of Songpyeon! - Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다! 대리님도 연휴 잘 쉬세요!
Pronunciation: neh, gam-sa-ham-ni-da! dae-ri-nim-do yuhn-hyoo jal shwi-seh-yo!
Meaning: Yes, thank you! Assistant Manager Kim, you rest well during the holiday too!
Practice Tips
Mastering holiday greetings takes practice~! Try sending holiday greeting messages to Korean friends via text or social media. If you’re in Korea during Seollal or Chuseok, listen carefully to how people greet each other. Don’t be shy to use the phrases you’ve learned – people will appreciate the effort! Remember to adjust the formality based on who you’re talking to. Happy practicing!
